Chapter 3a
Personal Development
*Previously, talked about the factors involved in cognitive development…or changes
in the way we think and process information
*What are the factors involved in personality development?
*What causes differences in people’s personalities?
Personality Development = the growth of enduring personality traits that influence
the way individuals interact with their physical and social environments
Factors Influencing Personality Development
1. Heredity
-people differ in temperament virtually from birth…siblings raised in same
environment typically develop very different personalities (CAUTION-can
never really say that env is exactly same…birth order, parent age, friends)
2. Parents/Adults (especially Teachers)
-not surprising, given the amount of time children spend with these individuals
*Type of Parenting Styles – uses expectations and responsiveness as determiners
-responsiveness = how involved you are; how much support you offer
High Responsiveness
Low Responsiveness
High Expectations
Low Expectations
Authoritative
Authoritarian
Permissive
Uninvolved
Authoritative – firm but caring; explain reasons for rules and are consistent with them
(high self-esteem; confident; secure; willing to take risks)
Authoritarian – very strict and rule-oriented; stress conformity; somewhat detached
(withdrawn; worry about pleasing parent; defiant)
Permissive – give children total freedom; few expectations or demands; “best friend”
(immature; lack self-control; unmotivated)
Uninvolved – have little to no interest in their child’s life
(easily frustrated and disobedient; lack long-term goals)
3. Peers
-influence development of personality in two ways…by offering or NOT offering
friendship AND by communicating their attitudes and values
-friendships also important because they allow children to practice social skills
Chapter 3b
Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages
Erikson
-was interested in all of the factors that influence development
-personal
-emotional
*integrated all of these factors into his theory →
-social
why it’s called a psychosocial theory of development
-believed all people have the same basic needs and that development occurs in stages
-each stage (8 total) is characterized by a crisis (a psychosocial challenge that presents
opportunities for development)…each crisis represents struggle to get need met)
Stages of Psychosocial Development
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth to 1 Year) – receiving consistent, loving care
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (Ages 1 to 3) – independence
Initiative vs. Guilt (Ages 3 to 6) – willing to take chances/risks
Industry vs. Inferiority (Ages 6 to 12) – sense of competence in abilities
Identity vs. Role Confusion (Ages 12 to 18) – confidence in “who they are”
Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood) – ability to develop meaningful rels
Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood) – desire to give back, make diff
Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood/Old Age) – have few regrets about life
*furthermore, any damage you did at a particular stage was NOT irrevocable…he
believed you could go back and tackle your issue at that stage to resolve the crisis
Research Support for Theory
*Study conducted in 1992, which looked at the possible connection between childhood
injuries and Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development…found that injuries seemed
to match up with particular stage the child would be going through at that age
1. Trust vs. Mistrust → drowning was most common → dependent on caregivers
2. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt → falling down while exploring environment
Criticism of Erikson’s Theory
1. failed to adequately address importance of culture in psychosocial development
Example: Asian cultures tend to be collectivist → influence dev. of autonomy
(more interested in cohesiveness of group vs. the individual)
2. theory was based on his work with men…possibly not as applicable to women
Example: proponents of Feminist Development Theory believe his theory is
representative of a male, egocentric perspective on development…stress idea that
connectedness plays a much bigger role in female development vs. autonomy